Punjab put on high alert ahead of Diwali

Based on the inputs received from a central intelligence agency regarding possible terror attacks around Diwali, a high alert has been sounded across the state.

Director General of Police (DGP) Suresh Arora has alerted all the senior police officers in all the districts and issued instructions to increase vigilance.

As per a circular issued to police officers on November 2, Pakistan’s ISI and Lashkar-eTaiba have plans to trigger explosions during the festive season at several places in Punjab.

“A series of reliable inputs indicate that Khalistani groups in collusion with the ISI and J&K-based Jihadi groups are planning to carry out terrorist attacks in Punjab. Inputs indicate attackers could use hand grenades,” the letter reads.

Speaking at a seminar in Delhi on Saturday, army chief Gen Bipin Rawat said that attempts are being made through “external linkages” to “revive insurgency” in Punjab, and if early action is not taken, it may be too late.

He said, “Punjab has been peaceful, but because of these external linkages, attempts are being made to revive insurgency.”

Jalandhar deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Gurmeet Singh said they are conducting inspections at railway stations, bus stands and other public places. Senior superintendent of police Navjot Singh Mahal said security has been beefed up for Diwali in the district.

RECENT TERROR ACTIVITIES, LINKS

The state police is on its toes after ‘low intensity’ bombs were hurled at the Maqsudan police station in September this year.

Later, three Kashmiri students were arrested from the hostel of CT Institute of Engineering Management and Technology, Jalandhar, with weapons, including an AK-47 assault rifle, three Italy-made pistols and explosives.

Police claimed the students were members of a recently established module of militant outfit Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH) that may have links with the Jaish-e-Mohammed and were planning to create terror in the state.

On Thursday, police busted an ISI terror module with the arrest of Shabnamdeep Singh, 24, of Samana sub-division, from Lahori Gate in Patiala. Police recovered hand grenade, a pistol, letter pads belonging to a banned terror organisation.

AS PER A CIRCULAR ISSUED TO POLICE OFFICERS, PAKISTAN’S ISI AND LASHKARETAIBA HAVE PLANS TO TRIGGER EXPLOSIONS THIS FESTIVE SEASON